Epstein’s Kosher Restaurant

Jan. 5: We kicked off the new year with a visit to Epstein’s Hartsdale outpost. There are a number of omelette offerings, but Sylvia wanted to try something out of the box: enter the beef tongue omelette, with potato pancakes on the side instead of homefries. There was a good balance between the tongue and the eggs, and a little deli mustard enhanced the overall flavor. With a cup of matzo ball soup, it was a meal any bubbie would be proud of.

Susan Lawrence

Jan. 18: Susan Lawrence in Chappaqua is equally well-known for its catering and its small café. On Saturday mornings at the café you can find light options, such as the Very Berry muffin and Quiche Lorraine shared by our group. Sundays tend to have a broader selection of brunch options. A good spot to stop in for a small bite and a warm beverage.

Chappaqua Restaurant & Café

Jan. 18: We were hungry this morning, so after the small bite at Susan Lawrence we headed up the block to the Chappaqua Restaurant & Café for something a bit more substantial to get us through the day. This is a great place to find higher-quality diner fare. Sure, there are your basic egg and potatoes dishes. But you’ll also find Belgian waffles overflowing with a bounty of fresh, sliced strawberries and an assortment of crepes. We also appreciated the charming touch of small cutting boards serving as placemats.

Pleasantville Diner

Feb. 2: Though we’d be indulging in plenty of Superbowl food later, we still had to get a good start to the day. And breakfast is the most important meal, after all. The unique dish here is the Signature Breakfast, which might be enough to feed a couple of people…or, in our case, one hungry WBCer! The Signature provides lowfat yogurt blended with apple preserve (which you can also get on the side) and topped with granola; 2 eggs any style; bacon, sausage, or ham; homefries; and toast or a muffin. Did we mention it’s only $10? Go on, indulge a little.

Benjamin Steak House

Feb. 9: It’s nice that after four years of breakfasting we’ve built a solid name for ourselves, which is why we’re always happy when establishments reach out to us. This morning we were pleased to accept an invitation to try the new Sunday brunch menu at Benjamin Steak House in Hartsdale. The brunch menu provides a little something for everyone: choose from sweet or savory, a la carte or prix fixe (for $21.95, including beverage of choice). Between our large group, we were able cover most of the dishes, including the prix fixe omelette, chocolate chip pancakes, French toast, and the Eggs Benjamin (which is served with steak, of course). Overall we found our dishes to be well-prepared, flavorful, and of a high quality, living up to Benjamin’s established strong reputation. Though we were among only a handful of other diners this morning, we’re sure once word spreads that Benjamin Steak House serves brunch, the dining room will be filled on Sunday mornings.

Red Hat on The River

Feb. 23: The WBC had enjoyed dinner at Red Hat during Restaurant Week four years ago. Now it was time to try their brunch. While enjoying breathtaking views of the Hudson River, you can choose from a la carte or prix fixe ($16) brunch offerings. There are the usual suspects but also some rotating specials. This morning several of us jumped at the chance to try the special chorizo, spinach, and cheddar omelette. On the lunch side of brunch, you’ll find several interesting sandwich choices; we tried the Mackee sandwich (smoked salmon, bib lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and a garlic aioli) and the grilled cheese (which got points in our “pro” column for the Fontina cheese and carmelized onions, but points off for the overly grilled bread). To conclude the meal we were brought a plate of refreshing complementary cream puffs. If you have a special occasion, head to Red Hat for brunch, though try to make a reservation to ensure a table.